Human Resource Development Foundation, Inc. (HRDF) will deliver the West Virginia Youth Works Program to 480 young adults between the ages of 15 and 25 who receive Social Security disability benefits in several West Virginia counties over the next four years. This is a major youth transition evaluation initiative that is
part of the national Youth Transition Demonstration funded through a contract from the Social Security
Administration.

1. What is West Virginia Youth Works?
The West Virginia Youth Works Program will engage youth and their families to use
services and supports as tools for greater independence and self-sufficiency. The services will include:

1. A Customized Employment Specialist and Job Developer/Job Coach, who will help youth enrolled in the program explore career options and find a job or career in something they like and are good at doing.
2. A Benefits Counselor who will help youth learn how to use Social Security work incentives and special rules to help them earn and save more money.
3. Work Experiences that will provide youth opportunities to learn specific skills and help youth get a job in their community.
4. Family Involvement that will consist of individual meetings with the youth and their family, a series of family focused workshops, and a newsletter that will educate families about the possibilities to assist youth in their employment and life goals.

2. Why is the Social Security Administration Funding the Project?
This West Virginia Youth Works program is a research study about transition services for youth with
disabilities. The purpose of the study is to learn how youth with disabilities can improve their education and employment outcomes and become independent adults. The information gained from this study may help others in the future. A research organization, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.(MPR) is conducting the study under contract through the Social Security Administration.

3. Who is eligible?
The research study uses a random assignment design to produce information on effective transition services for youth with disabilities. MPR will pick youth at random who are currently receiving Social Security disability benefits to see who gets to be part of the West Virginia Youth Works Program. Picking at random is like a lottery, or tossing a coin. It is a way to make sure that everyone who wants the extra support has a fair chance to receive services in this program.

4. How will youth be contacted?
MPR will contact youth who are eligible for the program by mail, and then by phone. Youth who complete the phone interviews and consent to participate in the West Virginia Youth Works Program will be asked to sign a consent form to be eligible to participate in the project. Youth who provide written consent will then be selected at random to enroll in the program.

5. What should I tell youth who are contacted about WV youth works? 
We request that you encourage youth who are contacted by MPR to participate in the phone interviews and, if they have completed their phone interviews, send in their written consent to participate in the West
Virginia Youth Works Program.

6. Should I refer clients with disabilities who have not been contacted by MPR to the West Virginia Youth Work Program?
No. Because this project is a research study, only clients who are contacted via MPR are eligible for
program services.

7. If I have any other questions about the project, who should I call?
Please call Taylor Runner at HRDF at 1 (800) 585-2347 x24.